Culligan Blog

We're in the thick of summertime - sunshine, hot weather,
swimming pools. You can probably smell the chlorine wafting from
your glass of drinking water.

Wait. That's not right. You should be smelling chlorine in your
pool, not your drinking water. So what gives?

Here's a little known fact: did you know chlorine has been
widely used as a disinfectant for drinking water since the early
1900s? Chlorine didn't just revolutionize water purification,
though. It has been hailed
as themajor public health achievement of the
20th century!

Today, chlorine remains the most widely used chemical for water
disinfection to ward off waterborne diseases (like typhoid, hepatitis and
cholera). However, in the past there has been some discussion
about water disinfection byproducts (DBPs) - which can make their
way into the water supply - and tap water safety. To help
consumers sort the facts from the myths, let the Culligan Man
answer some top consumer questions:

1. What is a disinfection byproduct?

DBPs form when disinfectants used to treat drinking water react
with naturally occurring materials in the water. Trihalomethanes
and haloacetic acids are the primary byproducts that result from
the use of chlorine as a disinfectant.

2. Are there actions being taken by federal and local
agencies to monitor or reduce DBPs?

The EPA has regulated the presence of DBPs since 1979 to address
potential health risks posed by chlorinated water.
And, in some communities, the EPA has even required water utilities
to reduce the amount of DBPs by switching to alternative disinfectants such as
chloramine.

3. How do I know if my drinking water contains
DBPs?

If you have concerns, you can turn to a couple of easy to
access, reliable resources. Obtain a free copy of your Consumer Confidence Report from the EPA to see exactly what is in
your local municipal water supply and how it is being treated
before it reaches your home or simply review your annual water
quality report that you receive from your local water utility.

4. What can I do to limit DBPs in my home's drinking
water?

Consider adding a household drinking water filtration system for an extra
level of security. Culligan's patented water filtration
technology - including systems like Aqua-Cleer® - can be customized to reduce possible
impurities in your water, such as aesthetic
chlorine, lead, radium, and cysts.

What are you waiting for? Reach out to your Culligan Man and find a
water solution that's right for you. Stick to worrying about the
chlorine in your pool, not your drinking water.

*Chlorine and other contaminants and
impurities are not necessarily in your water.

As a world leader in water filtration, Culligan water provides whole house water treatment and softener solutions for high-quality drinking water and soft water for your home. Culligan conditioning and soft water solutions include water softeners, water filtration systems, reverse osmosis water filters, and drinking water filters. Trust Culligan for better water, pure and simple. Find your Culligan Dealer here or contact Culligan International by clicking contact us.